It may look like a time machine from the future, but hyperbaric oxygen chambers are here now. If you’ve never seen or used it before, this oxygen-rich therapy increases oxygen uptake and promotes recovery.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) accelerates the natural healing process by increasing oxygen uptake in a controlled, pressurized environment. This can be a recovery tool if you are not a claustrophobic person and are prepared to lock yourself in a cozy room for an hour or two and do nothing.
I headed to The Body Lab Try a 60-minute HBOT session for yourself. Here’s what I learned and experienced from the session, including benefits, contraindications, and what to expect.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)?
Body Lab says: “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a restorative therapy that enhances your natural healing power by increasing your intake of a controlled oxygen-rich environment. This advanced treatment is delivered in our specialized Hydroxy Airpods …The atmospheric pressure rises to a level above normal atmospheric pressure.”
This increased pressure allows the lungs to take in more oxygen, transporting oxygen-rich blood throughout the body and promoting healing and regeneration. It’s so relaxing that you can read a book, use your phone, or work indoors while soaking up plenty of oxygen.
According to The Body Lab, these chambers can increase oxygen absorption by up to 35%, so I’ve been wanting to try it for a while to see what happens to my body.
Tried 60 minutes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the first time – what happened to my body
Before you board a plane, compare the experience to taking off on a plane and imagine the steady change in air pressure. We were also asked to ring our ears for comfort. Here’s what happened next.
It felt like my ears were going to pop off.
The change in pressure is felt gradually, but only lasts for the first minute or two, and can easily hurt your ears. But strangely, as I waited for it to end, I felt the pressure building.
There are three pressure settings (1.1, 1.2, 1.3) and a choice of slow, standard, or fast pressure increase/decrease rate. I selected 1.2 and normal speed, set the timer for 60 minutes, and counted down as I lay curled up under a blanket with a pillow.
That’s true. The first few minutes can be compared to gaining altitude in an airplane. Everything felt normal after that and I was able to read books, scroll aimlessly on my phone, and even sleep while the timer counted down and the pressure leveled out at his 1.2.
I didn’t feel any difference
The room felt cooler and the oxygen flow made it easier to breathe. Blankets and pillows were also on hand to keep us warm and comfortable the entire time.
It was relaxing to just hang out in my room with nothing to do and no one to answer to, but I certainly didn’t feel any different then or since. I didn’t experience a significant increase in energy, I didn’t sleep well that night, I didn’t feel any noticeable relaxation, and I didn’t notice any immediate effects on my body.
Wanting to understand what you can and shouldn’t expect from a session, I decided to take a closer look at the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers.
What are the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Proponents of HBOT say it can reduce jet lag symptoms (fatigue and lightheadedness) due to reduced oxygen intake on airplanes, improve recovery from sports injuries, improve wound healing, improve cognitive function, and improve mental health. It has been shown to have physiological and psychological benefits, including promoting fatigue. Increases energy and concentration, reduces inflammation, and increases blood circulation.
However, I was surprised to learn that this therapy is not only used for exercise recovery by athletes and professional sports teams. HBOT is used in medical settings to treat COVID-19, severe injuries, decompression sickness, and infections by significantly increasing the amount of oxygen available to the body, cells, and tissues. It has been used for many years.
Damage to blood vessels can cause swelling and reduce oxygen supply to cells in the body. According to reports, HBOT delivers oxygen-rich plasma to the tissues.
Body Lab says, “Sports injuries can significantly impede circulation, negatively impacting and delaying your ability to heal. Injuries to ligaments and tendons take longer to heal and can lead to further complications. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a good option because it does not rely on the body’s natural ability to circulate oxygen to cells.
Whether you experience improved cognitive function is subjective, but according to The Body Lab, “Increased pressure and oxygen absorption help you stay focused, remove mental blocks, and improve your mental clarity.” It helps bring out.”
I didn’t notice any noticeable improvements in mood, energy, or focus immediately after the session, but I can’t speak to the long-term effects of HBOT just yet.
One Medicina The study found that HBOT may be an “effective way to increase blood and tissue oxygen levels,” and that it increases blood and tissue oxygen levels (known as hyperoxemia) and tissue (hyperoxia). I agree that it may cause symptoms (symptoms).
Interestingly, a randomized trial published in Nature found that HBOT “may induce neuroplasticity and improve cognitive, mental, fatigue, sleep, and pain symptoms in patients suffering post-COVID-19 infection.” It has been found. The study followed subjects experiencing “ongoing symptoms” for three months post-infection and found significant improvement in symptoms after HBOT sessions.
HBOT may also stimulate collagen growth and combat signs of aging.A study published by redox biology HBOT suggests that it may have “an important and beneficial impact on aging and age-related symptoms,” in part through stimulation of collagen. It may also be helpful for patients healing from skin grafts.
Are there any side effects to hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Side effects can include ear damage, temporary nearsightedness, oxygen toxicity, and decompression sickness. Although these are rare, you should first consult a relevant medical professional.
Are there any contraindications to hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
Body Lab cites untreated pneumothorax, ear or sinus problems, and lung disease as possible contraindications to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. If you think this might be you, be sure to talk to your doctor first.
No matter where you receive your session, you will be required to complete a pre-screening form including a list of potential side effects prior to treatment.
final verdict
Whether you prioritize post-workout recovery (especially at a high level), participate in high-impact sports, or want to accelerate recovery from a wound or injury, hyperbaric oxygen chambers can be helpful. There is a gender.
“Increased oxygen uptake can positively impact aerobic endurance and improve maximal oxygen capacity,” says The Body Lab, especially for those who travel frequently for competitions. If training will help your performance. HBOT is also used to treat conditions such as decompression sickness and radiation sickness.
One hour per session is sufficient to promote oxygen absorption at the cellular level. For best results, we recommend repeating HBOT over several sessions.
As with many treatments like HBOT and cryotherapy, its benefits come with pitfalls, and it doesn’t come cheap. If you can afford a session in your area, I encourage you to give it a try. There is research that supports some of the benefits of hyperbaric oxygen chambers. Otherwise? That’s a lot of cash to part with.
